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India » Gangotri
 City Guide
 
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The confluence of the rivers Kedar Ganga and Bhagirath at Dev Ghat is what is known as Gangotri. Set amidst swaying deodars and aromatic pines, Gangotri is surrounded by craggy mountains and snow-capped peaks of the mighty Himalayas. This is the place where the holy river Ganga is said to have descended onto earth from heaven in a torrential flow, the pace of which was controlled in the matted locks of Lord Shiva. An aeon ago, snowy peaks and smooth glaciers covered this area.Now the valley is fertile and picture-perfect.
The temple at Gangotri, situated on the left bank of the Bhagirathi River, was built by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century. Within is enshrined an idol of the Goddess Ganga. Every year millions of pilgrims throng Gangotri to pay homage to the Ganga and the shrine, making Gangotri one of the holiest places in India. At Gaurikund, the rivulet descends from a spectacular height (Gaumukh) in a burst of crystal drops to form a swirling pool. The river then navigates her way through dangerous gorges and green valleys and through the plains to finally embrace the ocean.
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AIRAirport: Jolly Grant, 25 km from Dehra Dun, 17 km from Rishikesh and 265 km from Gangotri.
IA flies three times a week from Delhi (Tuesday, Thusrday, Saturday).
RAIL
Accessible via Dehra Dun and Haridwar. Trains connect Haridwar to several important cities in the region as well as other parts of the country. The Dehra Dun Shatabdi Express is the best way to get to Haridwar from Delhi. The Dehra Dun-Mumbai Express and Dehra Dun-Varanasi Express also service Haridwar. Calcutta and Allahabad are connected to Haridwar by the Doon Express and Dehra Dun-Allahabad Link Express. There is a regular shuttle service from Haridwar to Rishikesh, which is rather slow. Railway station: Nearest railhead is Rishikesh, 248 km from Gangotri.
ROAD
Direct buses are available from Delhi, Dehra Dun and Rishikesh via Tehri and Uttarkashi. Buses and taxis also ply from the Main Bazaar Road of Uttarkashi. Buses run by Samyukt Rotation Yatayat Vyawastha Samiti connect Gangotri with many centres in the region like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Tehri, Uttarkashi etc.
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CLIMATE
A typically Himalayan clime makes this region extremely cold during the months from November to February with sub-zero temperatures. The snow begins to thaw around March-end, which sends the mercury soaring. The pre-monsoon summers are the very pleasant with flowers carpet the valley making the surrounding beautiful and vibrant.
STD CODE
Nearest STD / ISD facility is in Uttarkashi - 01374 |
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Gangotri Temple
Built in the early 18th century by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa and renovated by Madho Singh, the ruler of Jaipur. It overlooks the confluence of the Kedar Ganga and the turbulent Bhagirathi on the latter s right bank. Legend has it that the Goddess Ganga was brought to earth by acts of penance by King Bhagirath. Adjacent to the temple is the Bhagirath Shila, a slab of stone that honours the spot where the king meditated. Steps from the temple lead to the riverside ghat where the devotees bathe in freezing waters. The temple stays closed during the winter.
Submerged Shivling
A rock formation worshipped as the Shivling. Visible mostly in winter when the waters are clearer. It is believed that Lord Shiva sat here to allow the Ganga to flow through the matted locks of his hair to break the fall before she landed on earth.
Gaumukh and Gangotri glacier
Situated at a height of around 14,000 ft, the Gangotri glacier is the physical source of the River Ganga. About 100 m high, 30 km long and 2-4 km wide, this wall of gray snow ends at Gaumukh, or the cow s mouth , where the Bhagirathi River appears. A large pony path alongside the Gangotri Temple leads gently up the road to Gaumukh. This beautiful trek of about 17 km offers panoramic mountain views of the inner Himalayas. The glacier has gradually retreated over the centuries and is believed to have reached down to Gangotri during the Vedic era.
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Tapovan
Tapovan, 6 km beyond Gaumukh, is a popular trekking terrain. At 14,728 ft above sea level, one should be careful of the heavy snow that hides deep crevasses. A steep climb leads to a grassy meadow where mountain goats graze on stretches of green, complimenting the exquisite, towering Shivling peak.
Nandanvan
Nandanvan is a similar but less frequented meadow below the Bhagirathi peaks that affords magnificent views of the Shivling and Bhagirathi peaks.
Kedartal
Kedartal, the source of Kedar Ganga lies only 17 km from Gangotri, and is a challenging 2000 m climb, leading to the enchanting lake (5000 m above sea level).
Bhairon Ghati
About 9 km from Gangotri towards Uttarkashi, the temple of Bhairav Nath amid thick forests is an added attraction.
Uttarkashi
This valley town serves as a stopover between Rishikesh and Gangotri. Main attractions are the Vishwanath Siva Temple and the Annapurna temples. It is a good place to contact experienced guides to organise or accompany the treks. Its well-stocked markets are ideal for picking up supplies. The rates for a guide and porter are Rs 300-350 and Rs 150-200 respectively.
Gangnani
At a height of 1,855 m, famous for its thermal springs and close-up view of Himalayan peaks.
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| Gangotri has a string of two dozen wooden shacks that sell temple offerings and the like. Any serious shopping that needs to be done is possible only at Uttarkashi. Best buys are handwoven and woollen handicrafts at - Jila Udyog Kendra; Garwal Woollen and CraftHouse, Mall Road. |
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